Mid-range head options

[TFSmith383]

I've recently picked up an 86 C10 with a non-factory 350 and 700R4. The engine has a mild Comp cam (unknown specifics), and a few other aftermarket parts. A few of the valve are leaking, letting oil get into the combustion chamber which is fouling plugs. I pulled the valve covers off and found that it's got 305 heads on it. I've heard that 305 heads will bump the compression up significantly, but they don't flow worth a damn. Since the heads need to come off anyway, might as well upgrade.

I want to get some new performance oriented heads for it and do this right the first time around. The truck is mainly going to be used as a truck, and weekend cruiser once everything is squared away on it. I don't have plans of making it a 500 hp monster. Just looking for some proper heads that are better suited for the 350 engine.

What is everyone's suggestions for heads? Accessory holes are a must. I don't have a preference to aluminum or cast iron.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Hold up homeboy...
If you have #416 heads they flow very well.
There are posts in this message board re: my support of 305 heads on a 350.

I need to clear the air there because it is a common misconception and untruth.
That said, yes, the compression raises quite a bit and to gain appreciation for that expert level modification,it must be done correctly.
ie: bigger valves, porting, and proper springs. Think 91 octane requirement.

I could go on but sometimes I get to blathering.
Blathering?
Which heads to you have installed?
Rebuilding them could save a ton of money , just sayin..
If you do it right, they will surprise not only you, but the sucker with low comp boat anchors in the next lane.

PLUS it makes your truck sound like it's huffin nitro.

If 416, your golden.
If 601s? Require dedication.
No other casting of 305 heads are acceptable...im unfamiliar with the centerbolt number. You WANT #416s.
They kick.ass.

I mostly like to do **** like that because people say you can't and that is wrong.
Then I drive by em.

The last three numbers junior.

Everybody else knows i'm gonna chime in here, watch.
Im doin my part junior, we all have got a role to play.

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[Ricko1966]

As rusty said 416s are good, but require a little work.You really need to find out what's on now.Who said the oil is coming from the valves?Now if the valves are sealing but you're just having oil control problems, check your guides, not real sloppy put some valve seals on it, how bout that you didn't even have to pull the heads.Man this has opened such a can of worms, you"ve got a cam but you don't know which one.Id bet no one checked valve train geometry so your pushing the valve sideways almost as much as your pushing it in and out.Cheap and easy, do a compression test , put on a set of valve seals and a set of roller rockers.You are going to get a ton of people saying Vortec, Vortec,Vortec. Good cheap heads but the pitfalls are they were not designed to be used with a wet manifold( no crossover) so under 35 degrees is a crap shoot. I've actually been driving when a manifold iced up.Wierd expierience.Special intake manifold required, defiantly will require work to run safely with your typical SBC mystery cam.And they are crack prone. See what you have on it now let's progress from there.

I' m tired of blather and am now switching to jibber, jabber mode.

 

[Rusty Nail]

I had a 90 Corvette beater for awhile.
Z52 ? 6 speed

Anyways, I got the genius idea in my head to repurpose the coolant lines that ran through the throttle body.
It is actually very brilliant i thought.

Cut the hoses,capped the coolant no other changes.
Stuck a transmission funnel on one end and hung it underneath the car.
Re-routed the other end to blow that air underneath the runners, onto the manifold base.

RAM AIR cooled.

I iced the throttle body that way.

It would have been alright temporarily like a drag race, but not so much in a fix it and forget it scenario.
LoL

Ended up lunching the engine. Hydrolocked AT SPEED. Turns out the throttle body NEEDS the hot coolant. I should not question the General's genius...
:doh:
$1500 Corvettes kick ass. Buy one if you get the chance.

 

[TFSmith383]

It does have a set of Comp roller rockers on it, and here's a pic of the casting number.

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Also, we did a compression test and all cylinders were at 118 psi, except for one at 125.

 

[Bextreme04]

That seems like pretty low compression, especially for having the 305 heads on it. Did you try putting a little oil into each cylinder to do a "wet" compression test? If you get a big bump in the number, you probably have bad rings. It would be interesting to see if there is any porting or larger valves in those heads, since it looks like someone went through the trouble to use the "good" 305 heads and also do a cam and roller rockers.

 

[TFSmith383]

No, we didn't do a wet test on them. Haven't pulled them off yet to see if any porting or bigger valves were put in. I guess I heard wrong about these heads and they maybe worth having them rebuilt.

 

[Ricko1966]

It does have a set of Comp roller rockers on it, and here's a pic of the casting number.

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Also, we did a compression test and all cylinders were at 118 psi, except for one at 125.

That is low compression.try that gauge on another car or try another gauge on your car.It sounds very possible your oil fouling is rings not heads.Thats why I asked before who said the oil was coming from the heads.Its very possible PO put heads on it thinking they were the problem your heads maybe just fine.

 

[Rusty Nail]

14014416.
M r d gooduns

They are 1.84/1.50, 58cc

I had an absolutely excellent pair on the 350 in a 75k5

Ran Elgin 1.94/1.60 valves in em and had em blended.
Nothing too wild, like a fluff n buff.
Smooth em up and remove the casting flash.
Not expensive , extensive porting but there was some basic porting.
Then I added Elgin what they call "Z28 springs" ..good for half an inch lift...
Copper shim head gaskets..

I figured the STOCK piston L03 from a 1980 1 ton ended up at 10.2:1

I had to run 91 octane gasoline but it ran 10° advanced.

Freaking kicked.ass.

After buying the parts, out of the machine shop?
I prolly had $700 in em.

That sir, was my suggestion for " good mid range heads" and you"ve already got some!
That truck got wrecked and the insurance company bought em but I continue to lament their loss.
I got em off Craigslist fo $50.

They were really, really, very good.
Im not bullshitting you junior, i feel very strongly about it and even found the pics.

September 2017

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Whoever had your truck must have also known wtf is up.

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[Rusty Nail]

Have you got my engine junior?
Lucky bastard!

Knowin some grande ********* bought that totalled truck with a wrinkle clear across the firewall and wants to dump 30 grand in it, which includes an Ls swap.

Put super in it and the tires will catch fire...yeah its gonna be a DOG runnin 87.

Got a weird lookin Holley intake underneath a Quadrajet?
Clear cap HEI?
COME ON Junior, quit screwin around.
Im in Oklahoma.

Got.to. run 91.
Youre lucky u found me.
Whats the chances?
Are you the *********? LoL?

I bet that SBC got yanked QUICK!
Magnesium valve covers?

Sell me the wheels back ..man comeon.

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[Rusty Nail]

He been too quiet for too long.
Must be him/it.

I want the wheels back. Pretty hard to find 6 lug chrome hammers these days. Lol sadface.

 

[TFSmith383]

Mine has an Edlebrock intake and Holley carb. Heads look alot crustier than yours lol

 

[Rusty Nail]

 

[oldretiredafguy]

Have you got my engine junior?
Lucky bastard!

Knowin some grande ********* bought that totalled truck with a wrinkle clear across the firewall and wants to dump 30 grand in it, which includes an Ls swap.

Put super in it and the tires will catch fire...yeah its gonna be a DOG runnin 87.

Got a weird lookin Holley intake underneath a Quadrajet?
Clear cap HEI?
COME ON Junior, quit screwin around.
Im in Oklahoma.

Got.to. run 91.
Youre lucky u found me.
Whats the chances?
Are you the *********? LoL?

I bet that SBC got yanked QUICK!
Magnesium valve covers?

Sell me the wheels back ..man comeon.

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That looks like N. Shields, past all the tornado magnet lots that I go to on a regular basis.

 

[Rusty Nail]

That looks like N. Shields, past all the tornado magnet lots that I go to on a regular basis.

Sir!
N.W.36th - one block West of Meridian, Sir!

I bought my SS down there where you're talkin about though..